Cultural Center Vizovice will open a party in the style of The Great Gatsby after reconstruction

Vizovice – The renovated cultural center in Vizovice in the Zlín region will open its doors to visitors on Saturday, June 13, with a gala party in the style of The Great Gatsby. The event will offer a period party as well as performances by bands and dancers. The multipurpose hall and foyer have been restored. One of the city's largest investments in recent years has not only brought a new look to the interior but also significant technical and safety improvements to the space, which has served the public for more than 40 years, said Martina Dozbabová, the head of the Cultural Center Vizovice, today to ČTK.

The overhaul of the center cost 25 million crowns excluding VAT, funded by the city’s budget. Work began last May and lasted until this spring. "The original timeline anticipated completing the reconstruction in early November 2025. However, during the demolition work, it became clear that some parts of the building were in significantly worse technical condition than initially expected," said the director.

The biggest complications arose from the structure of the gallery. After the removal of the original tiered seating, builders discovered that parts of the structure had been excessively burdened for decades due to additional alterations. "Some boards were damaged and collapsed, and the situation needed to be addressed in collaboration with structural engineers," the director stated.

In the multipurpose hall, workers modernized the electrical installations, sound, projection, and lighting technology, as well as other technological equipment, the stage floor, and the fabric furnishings of the stage. The original lighting was replaced with intelligent LED systems that allow for various scenic solutions and are more energy-efficient. "The new sound system will provide better audio comfort for cinema screenings, concerts, theater performances, and other social events," said Dozbabová. The foyer of the large hall, known to visitors as a café, has also been transformed. The renovation also included the installation of a new kitchen unit with a bar.

The reconstruction of the Vizovice center has impacted the cultural life in the city. Most events had to be moved to the Sokolovna, Orlovna, the elementary school hall, or the reading room of the city library. "Despite the complicated conditions, it was possible to partially maintain the continuity of the cultural program and carry out several concerts, smaller theater performances, and lectures," the director noted. The main season will begin in the fall, when many events will be relocated. Among them will be a concert by the cimbalom band Harafica and a theater performance.